Media Advisory / Photo OP - Regent Park Farmers' Market leads Toronto's urban agriculture evolution

Urban growers, start-up ventures integral part of unique initiative

TORONTO, July 2, 2013 /CNW/ - The Regent Park Farmers' Market is shaping up to be a new kind of farmers' market in Toronto and is a joint pilot project launched in partnership with The Daniels Corporation and Toronto Community Housing. This initiative brings locally grown fresh produce and artisanal foods to residents and visitors of this downtown east neighbourhood, which is currently undergoing one of the largest revitalizations in North America. The Market will officially open on Wednesday July 3, 2013 with a ceremony at 3:30 p.m.

The Farmers' Market features healthy sustainable fruits and vegetables, from small-plot urban growers and rooftop gardeners, and hand-made fare from Regent Park food entrepreneurs.  A defining feature of the Market is its emphasis on accessibility and economic opportunities. A weekly neighbourhood venue, the Market's wares provide healthy, fresh and sustainable products, meeting the needs of local residents and providing economic opportunities that can help reap long-term benefits for the community.

To celebrate the grand opening, Paintbox Bistro, Regent Park's local restaurant, led by new chefs Patrick Wiese (of Top Chef Canada fame) and Tallis Voakes (award-winning chef), will shop the Market and create dishes right on site and distribute samples with recipe cards.  Paintbox Bistro makes its kitchen available, free of charge, to local vendors for preparation and cooking of items sold at the Regent Park Farmers' Market, and will help launch resident vendor start-ups as inaugural "Food Incubator" businesses. The Market also boasts special musical performances and artistic activities by local talent every week.

Visit www.regentparkfarmersmarket.ca for more information.

WHO:	Eugene Jones Jr. - President/CEO, Toronto Community Housing Martin Blake - Vice President, The Daniels Corporation Mary Ann Kalalang, Regent Park Resident Vendor
WHAT:	REGENT PARK FARMERS' MARKET GRAND OPENING
WHEN:	Wednesday, July 3, 2013
	Ribbon Cutting (with a Market flair!) @ 3:30 p.m.
WHERE:	Regent Park Boulevard
	South of Dundas St. E., adjacent to DANIELS SPECTRUM, Toronto

SOURCE: Regent Park Farmers' Market

David Eisenstadt/Rhoda Eisenstadt/Carol King
tcgpr
[phone] ext.36/33/25
[email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected]